My Hockey Alpha Neighbor
Chapter 47

Chapter 47

The next match approaches even more quickly than the last did. The feverish energy that picks up around games is upon us once again like a raging storm. This time, instead of being buried in real estate, I find myself deeply involved with the team.

Most of the time, Coach Henry runs practice. He doesn’t leave a lot of space for anyone else to contribute. His personality is big, and he has plenty of strategic knowledge. Occasionally, I get to run drills, which is always rewarding the players have grown to respect me more, too.

Although I’ve noticed the issues in Coach Henry’s attitude, lie’s a competent coach. I learn a lot just by shadowing him. I’ve grown to appreciate him more and more as tension continues to grow. I can tell he cares deeply about this team.

So far, Robert has mostly had me deal with the administrative side of things. I look into brand deals and partnership opportunities. I do paperwork, although not nearly as much as I did at my last job. I assist the coach, but I don’t do much coaching myself. I’m perfectly fine with that I am hoping to gain a lot more experience before I start trying to boss around hyped-up sweaty men.

I also have become a sort of de facto manager for the players-schedule the interviews and press releases. Although Aiden is the most popular, he isn’t the only player who’s become a sort of celebrity. A few other talented players have scored more than a few brand deals and TV appearances of their own.

By the time the next match approaches, even more of a buzz has been drummed up around the Statford Freeze. Their excellent performance against the Stampede lent itself to a high public opinion. Plus, my public resignation from my former job drew a decent amount of attention,

It’s been almost entertaining to become subject to media attention now that I have more experience with it. The internet seems torn over whether I am a feminist icon or an ungrateful diva. Luckily, most people online have taken my side. I’ve seen a fair few fan cams at the moment, which has been shocking

The other players have also become part of a hot debate. Many people find them attractive, but fans of Aiden seem almost defensive of his position as the current sweetheart of hockey. All of it has caused plenty of press and fame surrounding the

Team

The next match is up against the Benton Beasts. They have a decent track record, but everyone on the tearn knows they are one of the less intimidating teams to make it to this round. The public very openly favors the Freeze to win. Most people seem to have moved on from discussing the match to discussing the Freeze’s inevitable victory and which team they’ll have

to face next

The match starts much like the ones before it intense and exhilarating. The audience roars with applause as the players fly across the rink. The first quarter of the game whirls by, filled to the brim with action. My proximity to the games makes the energy even more contagious,

Now that I have more experience working alongside the team, I’m able to truly admire just how much the Statford Freeze has improved. Aiden has always been a standout player, but the team didn’t always work well with him. Now, the gameplay is much more seamless

The Freeze has started to have a much more collaborative gameplay style. Aiden’s skill has him leading the charge, but the rest of the team always follows close behind. I can’t help but smile with pride at the developments.

My sharper eye also reveals the negatives to me. The team feels much more subdued today. The typical energy is lack comparison to the norm. It almost feels as though their recent good fortune has made them feel more lax.

The game reaches its inevitable conclusion. As the final buzzer sounds, the audience erupts into joyous applause. The Free has won again, and the match wasn’t very close. The team makes their signature lap around the rink, soaking in the applause, before zipping into their locker room.

—

I head down to the locker room to meet the team, as usual. The team has already made their plans to head to a local bar and celebrate all a part of the assumption that this game would be a surefire win. Teammates clap one another on the shoulders and congratulate each other on a game well-played doesn’t take long for the players to begin piling out of the

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Chapter 47

door.

Aiden and I share a sweet kiss and we head toward his car. We catch up with everyone quickly after I encourage him to join in the festivities. Even as we join the team in the bar, I can sense unease simmering under Aiden’s kind exterior.

The rest of the team enjoy drink after drink and act rowdy around the bar. Some play darts or pool, a few have taken over the karaoke stage. Hordes and hoards of fans try to join them in the bar, practically filling it to maximum capacity.

“Why don’t you join them?” I ask Aiden at last. He hasn’t left my side in one of the corner booths since we arrived. He glances at me, seemingly shaken from his thoughts.

“Not in the mood to celebrate, I guess,” he says with a crooked smile. I quirk an eyebrow at him.

“Is there any particular reason why not?” I ask. He hesitates for a moment, glancing around us to ensure that no teammates are within earshot.

“It wasn’t a bad game,” he says at last. “That’s not the problem, exactly. We just… underperformed”

I chew on my lower lip in thought. “I noticed that a bit, as well. Although I’m sure I wasn’t as critical of the team as you

Were

He smiles wryly. “You know me too well. His expression becomes far off again. “It wouldn’t have bothered me so much if the team had just pushed themselves a little harder. I’m starting to get the feeling that we’re becoming complacent.”

I can understand why Aiden would be worried about that. He’s clearly never given too much weight to all of the media attention he’s gotten. He’s always had an abundance of it, so it’s never been particularly notable.

On the other hand, his teammates are just beginning to get a taste of fame. Right now, the Statford Freeze are on top of the world. Many members of the team, previously unknown, have begun appearing in paparazzi footage and on gossip magazines. I It would be easy for them to sit on their laurels

I can’t help but let my eyes wander over to Aiden’s teammates. They’re scattered all throughout the bar now, celebrating and making merry. From an outsider’s perspective, they do look like they’ve been slacking at least comparatively.

Still, that doesn’t seem quite right to me. I focus my vision on the players. The happiness in their voices doesn’t quite reach their eyes. In fact, there seems to be a sense of unease.

It’s difficult for me to place exactly what gives it away. Maybe it’s the way it seems their face is fall when no one is looking at them, or how some of them nervously, check the bar TVs, their energy, aceming to falter every time they see highlights from the capital’s last victorious game. Something isn’t adding up.

Then it strikes me. Both Aiden and I have been wrong all along. They’re not slacking – they’re terrified.

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